(More details on the 2010 AIFA East’s Best Dance Team)
The Lady Raiders Dance Team have been named the Best Dance Team of the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) Eastern Conference! The Richmond Raiders celebrated their inaugural season Virginia in 2010. Pictured here with the 2010 dance team are Lady Raiders Brianna, Stephanie, Lia, Kelly, Savanna, Nicole W, Keisha, Brittany, Nicole B, Renee, Gloria, Layna, Le-Andri, Katy, Brigette, Dani, Sherika (not pictured: Kristina, Kirstin) The dance and cheer team enters their second season under the direction of Laura Eilers, former NFL cheerleader for the Kansas City Chiefs and the St Louis Rams.
Richmond Lady Raiders
“The Lady Raiders are a vital part of game entertainment and community relations for the Richmond Raiders arena football team,” said Eilers. “It’s such an honor to be recognized by the league, especially during our inaugural year. The 2011 dance team is going to grace the field with even more beauty and energy! We can’t wait for the season to begin.”
The 2010 dance team consisted of 20 squad members ages 18-34. These ladies celebrate some notable achievements outside of the Raiders organization. 2010 Lady Raider Brittany Gordon was crowned Miss Virginia United States. 2010-2011 Lady Raider Co-Captain Stephanie Pancoast is a second-year ambassador to the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders. 2011 Lady Raider Meagan Hale has been nominated for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation “20 Finest” Award, celebrating local young professionals.
The Lady Raiders welcomed 17 squad members during summer auditions. They are currently accepting applications to add seven team members before their season gets underway in January.
“The Lady Raiders are in the community every week, almost every day. The requests are pouring in!” said Eilers. “And with more Lady Raiders, we can get even more involved with the crowd at the Coliseum this spring. The ladies cheer and dance, lead contests, sign autographs, invite performances by youth cheerleaders and even the women’s Silver Line dance team.”
Congratulations once again to the 2010 Lady Raiders, the AIFA Eastern Conference All Star Dance Team. Meet the Lady Raiders online at www.richmondraidersprofootball.com.
This is a little old, but I don’t think we’ve posted it before.
Darlene Cavalier, The Science Cheerleader, talks with four Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders, who also have careers in science.
Meet the Science Cheerleaders next weekend at the USA Science & Engineering Festival.
Tough choices for Philadelphia fans at Sunday’s Away game party. Watch the Eagles play the 49ers on Sunday Night Football, or watch the Phillies take on the Reds in the NLDS. But no tough choice when it comes to Away Game Party’s featured guests: a pair of Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders.
Janelle and Cheryl
Janelle
Chery
Vittoria
Bonus photo: Former Eagles Cheerleader Vittoria was representing the Away Game Party Sponsor, Miller Lite.
The Chicago Rush is looking for 16 articulate, attractive, multi-talented performers to represent the team as members of the 2011 Adrenaline Rush Dancers. Those women will be selected when the Rush holds auditions for the squad beginning November 21, the team announced today.
Dancers who meet the criteria who wish to audition for the 2011 team must be at least 18 years old by January 1, 2011. Tryouts will start Sunday, November 21, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and auditions will begin promptly at 9 a.m. Dancers should arrive early and expect to spend the entire day auditioning.
At the November 21 audition, the field of potential dancers will be narrowed to a group of 40 finalists who will then compete for the final 16 spots in front of a live audience of Rush fans on Saturday, December 4 (location TBA).
To be considered, all dancers must fill out an Adrenaline Rush Dancers’ Application and return it along with a completed waiver and release form, a recent photo and a $50 non-refundable registration fee (made payable to the Chicago Rush). Applications and waivers may be obtained by e-mailing the Rush at dancers@arenarush.com or calling the team at (847) 882-9400. The completed information should be mailed to:
Chicago Rush
920 W. Golf Road
Schaumburg, IL 60195
All applications must be received no later than Thursday, November 18.
For those dancers who would like help in preparing for the auditions, the Rush will be hosting audition prep classes on Tuesday, November 9 and Tuesday, November 16 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The cost of the class is $20 per session and those dancers who attend both sessions will receive a $10 discount off the audition registration fee.
Congratulations to the Richmond Lady Raiders who were named 2010 AIFA Eastern Conference Dance Team of the Year in just their first year of existence. The Lady Raiders are under the direction of former St. Louis Rams and Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleader Laura Eilers.
Another great interview over at ScienceCheerleader.com. This time it’s with former KC Chiefs Cheerleader Heidi, who gained her interest in science because my father was a chemist. Heidi earned her Bachelors of Sports and Exercise Science from the University of Kansas. And she’s also a Certified Personal Trainer and Group Instructor.
Read the interview here.
The Science Cheerleaders are just a little over two weeks away from making their debut the USA Science and Engineering Festival. More here.
By Joe Williams
St Louis Today
Some hometown heroes are screening an ambitious movie this Sunday afternoon at the new Granite City cinemas. The inspirational drama “I Am” stars Granite City native Amy Holland Pennell, a former captain of the Rams cheerleaders, and was co-produced by former Cardinal Todd Zeile.
I’m guessing it’s no coincidence that the screening is on 10/10/10. The faith-based drama follows ten characters through a day in Los Angeles as they grapple with the consequences of violating the Ten Commandments. The website for the film (www.iamthemovie.com) calls the interconnected storyline “a faith-based ‘Crash’.”
“I Am” screens Sunday afternoon at 12:15 and 2 p.m. at the new Granite City tri-plex at 1243 Niedringhaus Avenue. The 2 p.m. screening is already sold out; but at 3:45, fans can meet some of the stars, including Pennell, who hosted sports shows on local TV before launching an acting career in Hollywood.
“I Am” (which features Katharine McPhee’s new song “Say Goodbye” on the soundtrack) will be screening at churches throughout the Bi-State area later this year.
[I Am (The Movie) Official Website]
Amanda F and Gina started off in the Fieldhouse with Director Stephanie (center)
Plenty more at the Buffalo Pro Cheer Blog.
The Milwaukee Wave Professional Indoor Soccer team announces auditions for the 2010-2011 Dance Team.
Auditions will be held Wednesday, October 20 at the US Cellular Arena. Registration will begin at 5:30 pm with auditions beginning at 6:00 pm. Fifteen women will be selected for this professional, high-energy, technical dance team. They will dance at every home game and represent the Wave at select community appearances.
Auditionees are encouraged to wear a fitted tank top and dance pants or shorts with comfortable dance shoes. Dancers must be 18 as of December 1, 2010. Dancers will complete an application and have a headshot taken upon arrival on audition night. Please email info@wiprodance.com for more information.
By Steve Mazzucchi
Esquire
After a big loss to the Redskins, get sideline commentary on the return of McNabb, the injury to Vick, and why an 18-game NFL season would be good for everyone involved
So the old quarterback, a six-time Pro Bowler, rolls into town at the helm of a division rival. Across the sidelines is the new quarterback, an ex-con who’s showing flashes of his old magic. Old QB builds a quick lead, new QB gets hurt diving for glory, and his backup, who had been the starter, comes off the bench, throws a bunch, lofts a pass into the end zone as the clock ticks to zero, and… Eagles wideout Jason Avant can’t corral Kevin Kolb’s final heave, leaving Donovan McNabb, his 1.7 second-half passer rating, and the Redskins to walk off with a 17-12 win and creating a three-way tie atop the NFC East.
But beneath the surface of a game that sounds more melodramatic than Any Given Sunday, you’ll find an offensive dud and a Philadelphia squad ravaged by mistakes (eight penalties, a critical fumble) and missed opportunities (a TD lost to clock mismanagement). Putting a positive spin on things is veteran Eagles cheerleader Alicia. The line captain and aspiring poker ace — her first tournament was hosted by A-Rod and Jay-Z — explains how these birds can still soar when the chips are down.
ESQUIRE: What did you think of the reception McNabb got — cheers when his name was announced, then vicious boos once he took the field?
ALICIA: I wasn’t sure how our fans would receive him. We’re known for booing certain people, so it was a nice surprise when they gave him a standing ovation. We are the city of Brotherly Love, he took us to five NFC championship games, and we thanked for him that. But once he was in the huddle, he’s a Redskin, and the fans are there to cheer for the Eagles.
ESQ: What was the biggest factor in the loss today?
A: The Redskins played good defense. They tried to take out DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. But I always look at the positive. LeSean McCoy had 12 receptions, Brent Celek caught his first touchdown of the season, and on the defensive end, Nate Allen got his third interception, the most by any rookie since Brian Dawkins.
ESQ: How was the mood after Michael Vick got hurt?
A: It was pretty somber. He’s an athlete, he tries to make plays, you have to commend him for that, but unfortunately he got smashed between two players. I think Kolb put up a great effort in trying to bring the team back.
ESQ: Kolb actually had better numbers than McNabb, but it seemed like all he threw were five-yard passes to McCoy. Can he get the ball farther down the field?
A: Of course. Unfortunately his first game he had a concussion, so he hasn’t had much regular season time to work with Jackson and Maclin. He did have 22 completions for 201 yards. I’m hoping he’ll learn to throw deeper. We’re lucky to have two great QBs who are better than some teams’ starters.
ESQ: Can you explain what happened at the end of the half, when the Eagles were a yard from the end zone, took a timeout, then got called for delay of game and settled for a field goal?
A: They thought the ball was moved, and then when they went back out they didn’t have time. Andy Reid’s a great coach, there’s a lot going on with two quarterbacks, and I think it was something he couldn’t control. Things happen, and you just gotta keep going.
ESQ: How different are the headlines today if Jason Avant somehow comes down with the ball at the end?
A: It would have been a great win. The last minute of the fourth quarter was so tense and exciting. He almost got it — it had that glimmer of hope. Philly would have been ecstatic. A win’s a win, especially in a division game. But we are only in Week 4. We’re 2-2, it’s not we’re like 0-4. It’s still early.
ESQ: After the game, McNabb said, “I think all of the quarterbacks got booed today.” Is that accurate?
A: It’s Philadelphia. We’re passionate. There was a lot of booing and cheering, and it’s sometimes hard to say what the fans are booing and cheering for. They get excited because they care. They live and die Eagles football. That’s why I love cheering for the Eagles. The fans are always there. That’s loyalty.
ESQ: You’re the cheerleader. What would you say to Philly fans to get them excited about the rest of the season?
A: It’s only October, don’t get down yet, we can go up. Look at the bigger picture: we have a young team, and we still have the whole season ahead of us to get better. Focus on that and see where it takes us.
ESQ: There’s a lot of talk about the NFL moving to an eighteen-game schedule. How would that affect the cheerleaders? Would you make more money?
A: I personally would love it. The season is short enough as it is. We only cheer at every home game, so to have an extra one would be fabulous. We love to perform and be on the field. If the season were all year, I’d be happy. There’s no other feeling like it. You can ask any cheerleader, and they’d all say the same thing. We pretty much rehearse year-round anyway. We get paid by the game. An extra game or two — or ten — would be great.
ESQ: You’re a poker fiend. Do poker skills score points with you?
A: It definitely helps. The game is so psychological, and you have to be extremely intelligent to play. So any guy that is good in poker, the intelligence is there. If a guy can give me some competition, I’m all for it.
ESQ: What if a guy is just really good at shuffling?
A: As long as he doesn’t use any deceit with the cards. I’ve got some sharp eyes, so it’s hard to pull one over on me. When I go to tournaments, guys, especially older men, when they see a female, they think, “What does this girl know about poker?” I use that to my advantage. I may look like a nice little innocent girl, but I’ve got tricks up my sleeves. I use my feminine charms, whatever it takes to win.
